But if the item offers "free shipping" then wouldnt the cost of shipping be included in the final price?

From the sellers point of view, yes. But we have no idea on how it was sent or the cost. Was it Priority mail or pwe?

I would think that the shipping cost, free or otherwise, would make little to no difference in the values we see posted here on VCP. And I assume that is what Bill was getting at, if the shipping was factored into the average value and the prices posted.